Dear Margot,
early this morning, Dad, Mum and I went to the Jurong fishery port. It is something special that we went because we rarely are able to wake up so early to go to buy fish, prawns or crabs.
3am came and my alarm rang loud and clear in the dark depths of my messy room, waking me up with a start. I leapt out of bed and got changed and proceeded to wake my parents who were surprised to see that even though I had woken up so early, I was bright and chirpy like the morning sun's rays.
After an eventful 40minute drive and getting lost twice, we arrived at the gate to the market. The police man wanted to collect out identification cards but Mum and I did not bring them. Fortunately, the guy let us go in. Little did i know what I would see when I stepped into the market.
Dad parked the car a stone's throw from the market so we walked in.
Instantaneously, I noticed that the size of the fishes had fallen considerably in the span of 3 years. This means that Singapore is beind overfished at an alarming rate. I think it is the spanish mackeral season. They were in abundance and they were at almost every stall in all sizes from about 60cm to about 1.5 meters. It is quite saddening to see fish at markets and supermarkets getting smaller and smaller due to overfishing. I also heard that Australia is begining to be overfished. The fishing now is considered ok to many locals. The results years ago were absolutely mind blowing. I can only imagine how good it must have been.
Other than worship practice and going to the fish market, today was very uneventful. I should go and practice now because I'm playing tomorrow and I do not know the songs well.
Yours,
An Ren
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Sunday, February 20, 2005
God is good, all the time.
Dear Margot,
today was not very eventful but God is always there. This morning, I went to church in the morning and went for lunch with my family at Huat Kee which is a teochew restaurant we have been frequenting for years and I like the restaurant very much and last but not least, my afternoon again was spent studying at home instead of sailing or at the driving range or at the reservoir with fly rod in hand. However, what i did today is not the point of this entry.
Yesterday, I sprained my ankle very badly and did not realise until this morning until i found i could barely walk even with an ankle guard. Well, I went to church and I could walk alot more easily. I am not saying that I recover fast but it is by God's grace that i am now walking around without much pain. He listens to prayer as I asked for healing and he gave it to me. I only could walk around more normally at like 530pm.
Orvis is having a "Great Fly Sale" and they are selling some flies at US$1 or 2 each for selected items which is so cool. Dad has ordered some flies and a stripping basket for me. YIPPIE!! Now i can go fishing at rocky areas and not need to put my line on the ground and risk tripping over it, stepping on it and having it dragged accross the rocks if a fast fish hits the fly so my line will now year out more slowly!! What a blessing!!
I will be having various tests this week but I am actually looking forward to them because I want to know how well I am adapting to this new school. After the tests are over, I will be able to go fishing! I think I will go with my kakis if it they are free! I wonder when is the next time I land/ boat a fish and get to take a photo with it. The thought is making me drool... Anyway, whoever would like to bring me fishing is welcome to provided i know you.
ps: anyone know a good medium spin rod to get say rating 10-17 or 6-12. Don't say xtreme rods.
Yours,
An Ren
today was not very eventful but God is always there. This morning, I went to church in the morning and went for lunch with my family at Huat Kee which is a teochew restaurant we have been frequenting for years and I like the restaurant very much and last but not least, my afternoon again was spent studying at home instead of sailing or at the driving range or at the reservoir with fly rod in hand. However, what i did today is not the point of this entry.
Yesterday, I sprained my ankle very badly and did not realise until this morning until i found i could barely walk even with an ankle guard. Well, I went to church and I could walk alot more easily. I am not saying that I recover fast but it is by God's grace that i am now walking around without much pain. He listens to prayer as I asked for healing and he gave it to me. I only could walk around more normally at like 530pm.
Orvis is having a "Great Fly Sale" and they are selling some flies at US$1 or 2 each for selected items which is so cool. Dad has ordered some flies and a stripping basket for me. YIPPIE!! Now i can go fishing at rocky areas and not need to put my line on the ground and risk tripping over it, stepping on it and having it dragged accross the rocks if a fast fish hits the fly so my line will now year out more slowly!! What a blessing!!
I will be having various tests this week but I am actually looking forward to them because I want to know how well I am adapting to this new school. After the tests are over, I will be able to go fishing! I think I will go with my kakis if it they are free! I wonder when is the next time I land/ boat a fish and get to take a photo with it. The thought is making me drool... Anyway, whoever would like to bring me fishing is welcome to provided i know you.
ps: anyone know a good medium spin rod to get say rating 10-17 or 6-12. Don't say xtreme rods.
Yours,
An Ren
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Bio test tomorrow
Dear Margot,
Today like all the other days of the week has been very busy. today instead of a biology project, Aston came over to do a chemistry project with me. Stephen could not come and neither could Johnathan Ho so Aston and I have decided to leave their names out of the project. Aston did the power point presentation on physical and chemical changes. I on the other hand did the presentation on elements, mixtures and compounds which was fun. Aston's power point still needs alot of touching up because he did the presentation in my opinion, quite badly because most of it seemed to be copy and paste work. So, I will have to rephrase almost all of it which is somewhat like doing the whole presentation all over again. However this is ok with me because Aston seemed to have worked hard on gathering the information. Well, I guess some people are absolutely horrible at doing power point presentations- ugh!! The horrors!!
Tomorrow is the first biology test of the year. Because I have been very busy all through this week, i have not had much time to study at all but have had little pockets of time to study so at least i have done what I can. The only comfort I have is that Charmaine, who is my classmate has also had very little tiime to study too! I have stopped studying for the night because I am flaking out at a very rapid pace, so, I should go to sleep before i fall asleep over my books while studying. I hope I do not mess up my test and after that, say *beep*, *beep* and *beep*. Mum has told me to do my best and that is exactly what I will do.
A very hectic week is taking a toll on me and I think I am begining to fall sick. It is not the amount of studying I have to do. The actual fact is that I have not been sleeping early, well or getting enough sleep so mayb my body is protesting by falling ill which is what I do not want. because being sick is the worst thing I can spend my precious beloved time doing.
School may be a whole lot more tiring and taxing than at Barker but I am enjoying myself throughly even though I have very little time for myself. I think I will go to sleep now because I am falling asleep, making alot of typing mistakes and would not like to fall asleep over my laptop and messy desk.
Yours,
a very sleepy and tired
An Ren
Today like all the other days of the week has been very busy. today instead of a biology project, Aston came over to do a chemistry project with me. Stephen could not come and neither could Johnathan Ho so Aston and I have decided to leave their names out of the project. Aston did the power point presentation on physical and chemical changes. I on the other hand did the presentation on elements, mixtures and compounds which was fun. Aston's power point still needs alot of touching up because he did the presentation in my opinion, quite badly because most of it seemed to be copy and paste work. So, I will have to rephrase almost all of it which is somewhat like doing the whole presentation all over again. However this is ok with me because Aston seemed to have worked hard on gathering the information. Well, I guess some people are absolutely horrible at doing power point presentations- ugh!! The horrors!!
Tomorrow is the first biology test of the year. Because I have been very busy all through this week, i have not had much time to study at all but have had little pockets of time to study so at least i have done what I can. The only comfort I have is that Charmaine, who is my classmate has also had very little tiime to study too! I have stopped studying for the night because I am flaking out at a very rapid pace, so, I should go to sleep before i fall asleep over my books while studying. I hope I do not mess up my test and after that, say *beep*, *beep* and *beep*. Mum has told me to do my best and that is exactly what I will do.
A very hectic week is taking a toll on me and I think I am begining to fall sick. It is not the amount of studying I have to do. The actual fact is that I have not been sleeping early, well or getting enough sleep so mayb my body is protesting by falling ill which is what I do not want. because being sick is the worst thing I can spend my precious beloved time doing.
School may be a whole lot more tiring and taxing than at Barker but I am enjoying myself throughly even though I have very little time for myself. I think I will go to sleep now because I am falling asleep, making alot of typing mistakes and would not like to fall asleep over my laptop and messy desk.
Yours,
a very sleepy and tired
An Ren
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Reflections Of Chinese New Year 2005
Dear Margot,
The Chinese New Year holiday is about to finish. Today is the last day of the Chinese New Year public holiday. I feel strange because I am sad, happy and many other feelings I cannot describe even with the most colorful language on Earth.
This year, there were some people that my family and I did not visit or get an opportunity to meet. The people we did not meet were my Grandfather's younger brother, my aunts, uncles and second cousins on Mum's side of the family. This I found very strange as I am used to seeing them every year as early as I can remember.
Even though I did not see many people that I normally see. I feel that this New Year has been fruitfully spent catching up with my friends and relatives. The only thing I did not like much about this New Year is that I did not get enough sleep and did not do as much studying as much as I would have liked to. Never the less, I have enjoyed myself very much and wish it could carry on but unfortunately it cannot. Life goes on and there is school tomorrow so I should go and study now. Talk to you again soon.
Yours,
An Ren
The Chinese New Year holiday is about to finish. Today is the last day of the Chinese New Year public holiday. I feel strange because I am sad, happy and many other feelings I cannot describe even with the most colorful language on Earth.
This year, there were some people that my family and I did not visit or get an opportunity to meet. The people we did not meet were my Grandfather's younger brother, my aunts, uncles and second cousins on Mum's side of the family. This I found very strange as I am used to seeing them every year as early as I can remember.
Even though I did not see many people that I normally see. I feel that this New Year has been fruitfully spent catching up with my friends and relatives. The only thing I did not like much about this New Year is that I did not get enough sleep and did not do as much studying as much as I would have liked to. Never the less, I have enjoyed myself very much and wish it could carry on but unfortunately it cannot. Life goes on and there is school tomorrow so I should go and study now. Talk to you again soon.
Yours,
An Ren
My Wishlist of fishing gear
Dear Margot,
I have had some time to think about fishing rods these past few days and let my imaginaation run wild and have come up with a list of fishing gear that i would dearly love to have but unfortunately I cannot afford them.
For fly fishing rods in the 9 weight class, I would like
1) Orvis T3 909-4
2) Winston Boron 2x
3) Sage Xi2
4) Scott s3s
For fly fishing rods in the 6 or 7 weight class, I would like
1) Orvis T3 906-4
2) Orvis TLS 906-4
3) Winston boron 2x 7
4) Sage xi2
5) Scott s3s
For fly fishing rods in the 4weight class, I would like
1) Orvis Superfine One ounce 704-2
2) Winston ibis
3) Scott A2
4)Winston Boron 2x
For fly fishing reels in the 9 weight class, I would like
1) Ross Canyon Big Game 4 or 5
2) Orvis Vortex VO2 5
3) Orvis Mach 5
4) Ross Evo 3.5
For fly fishing reels in the 6 or 7 weight class, I would like
1) Ross evo 3 or 3.5
2) Orvis Battenkill LA3
3) Abel super 6
For fly reels in the 4 weight class, I would like
1) Ross evo 2 or 2.5
2) Orvis Battenkill LA 2
I have left out lure fishing and many other methods of fishing as i am moving more towards fly fishing as it is more of a skill than other forms of fishing as i mentioned in another entry. however and gloomis rods and shimano reels will be very welcome if anyone gives thme to me. I have to go out now so I will write another entry later.
Yours,
An Ren
I have had some time to think about fishing rods these past few days and let my imaginaation run wild and have come up with a list of fishing gear that i would dearly love to have but unfortunately I cannot afford them.
For fly fishing rods in the 9 weight class, I would like
1) Orvis T3 909-4
2) Winston Boron 2x
3) Sage Xi2
4) Scott s3s
For fly fishing rods in the 6 or 7 weight class, I would like
1) Orvis T3 906-4
2) Orvis TLS 906-4
3) Winston boron 2x 7
4) Sage xi2
5) Scott s3s
For fly fishing rods in the 4weight class, I would like
1) Orvis Superfine One ounce 704-2
2) Winston ibis
3) Scott A2
4)Winston Boron 2x
For fly fishing reels in the 9 weight class, I would like
1) Ross Canyon Big Game 4 or 5
2) Orvis Vortex VO2 5
3) Orvis Mach 5
4) Ross Evo 3.5
For fly fishing reels in the 6 or 7 weight class, I would like
1) Ross evo 3 or 3.5
2) Orvis Battenkill LA3
3) Abel super 6
For fly reels in the 4 weight class, I would like
1) Ross evo 2 or 2.5
2) Orvis Battenkill LA 2
I have left out lure fishing and many other methods of fishing as i am moving more towards fly fishing as it is more of a skill than other forms of fishing as i mentioned in another entry. however and gloomis rods and shimano reels will be very welcome if anyone gives thme to me. I have to go out now so I will write another entry later.
Yours,
An Ren
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
chinese new year
Dear Margot,
today is the first day of the chinese new year. Well, as a tradition in my family, last night, my family and i went to dinner at Grandma's house (Dad's mum's house). As usual, Auntie Esther, Uncle Edmond, Auntie Kim, Grandma, uncle Ashley, Auntie Emilyn and my cousins Tristan, Jared, Adam, Nicole and Lynette were there. this year was particularly unusual as there were very few people. I found that very strange. Never the less, i still enjoyed myself throughly. I really enjoyed catching up with Lynette who i have not spoken to for ages. It was wonderful seeing Nicole again as i hardly ever see her. To spice up the night, Tristan, Jared and Adam were playing with their toys and other games like catching. To watch them brought a smile to my face as it reminded me of how i used to be like 10 years ago. i miss those days very much where i could fool around, play, have fun and talk nonsense all day long. Sometimes, i do enjoy doing so onece in a while.
I played Uncle Ashley's Ibanez Artist which is a guitar. I think it is very lovely guitar and is for a person with an aquired taste but unfortunately, it weighs a ton. this is the second year in a row that i played the Artist. The sound of an Artist is a world apart from my Fender Strat. the Fender's sound is extremely defined and bright. The Artist's sound is heavy, dark and deep. the neck of a Strat is thin and the frets are tall but on the Artist, the neck is rounded and the frets are short. Because the Strat and the Artist aare so different in their sounds, they are often used for different purposes. The Strat would be used for rock, blues and punk. The Artist on the other hand is more for Jazz, Blues and older songs like those by the Beetles.
Today, my family and I went visiting. We visited all my grandparents, Uncle Cecil's Dad and Mum, Uncle Hock Lye and Auntie Jean,Taw Kor Poh, Mr lee (Mum's ex boss), Ipo Clarice (Dad's aunt) and i think thats about it. This was all very enjoyable. this Chinese New Year is a record because i actually wore a long sleeved shirt and black lnog pants and black shoes. however in previous years, i would wear a shirt and long pants and any shoes that passed the test of Mum and Dad.
Since its very late now, i should feed my dogs. Good night and see you tomorrow
Yours,
An Ren
today is the first day of the chinese new year. Well, as a tradition in my family, last night, my family and i went to dinner at Grandma's house (Dad's mum's house). As usual, Auntie Esther, Uncle Edmond, Auntie Kim, Grandma, uncle Ashley, Auntie Emilyn and my cousins Tristan, Jared, Adam, Nicole and Lynette were there. this year was particularly unusual as there were very few people. I found that very strange. Never the less, i still enjoyed myself throughly. I really enjoyed catching up with Lynette who i have not spoken to for ages. It was wonderful seeing Nicole again as i hardly ever see her. To spice up the night, Tristan, Jared and Adam were playing with their toys and other games like catching. To watch them brought a smile to my face as it reminded me of how i used to be like 10 years ago. i miss those days very much where i could fool around, play, have fun and talk nonsense all day long. Sometimes, i do enjoy doing so onece in a while.
I played Uncle Ashley's Ibanez Artist which is a guitar. I think it is very lovely guitar and is for a person with an aquired taste but unfortunately, it weighs a ton. this is the second year in a row that i played the Artist. The sound of an Artist is a world apart from my Fender Strat. the Fender's sound is extremely defined and bright. The Artist's sound is heavy, dark and deep. the neck of a Strat is thin and the frets are tall but on the Artist, the neck is rounded and the frets are short. Because the Strat and the Artist aare so different in their sounds, they are often used for different purposes. The Strat would be used for rock, blues and punk. The Artist on the other hand is more for Jazz, Blues and older songs like those by the Beetles.
Today, my family and I went visiting. We visited all my grandparents, Uncle Cecil's Dad and Mum, Uncle Hock Lye and Auntie Jean,Taw Kor Poh, Mr lee (Mum's ex boss), Ipo Clarice (Dad's aunt) and i think thats about it. This was all very enjoyable. this Chinese New Year is a record because i actually wore a long sleeved shirt and black lnog pants and black shoes. however in previous years, i would wear a shirt and long pants and any shoes that passed the test of Mum and Dad.
Since its very late now, i should feed my dogs. Good night and see you tomorrow
Yours,
An Ren
Sunday, February 06, 2005
reflections of the training session
Dear Margot,
I feel have spent my weekend quite fruitfully. I went sailing yesterday and today, managed to do some studying but not as much as i'd liked to have done. as in my previous entry,yesterday, i sailed quite badly and could not control the boat properly as the wind was extremely strong. Well, today Uncle Tony's squad trained with the national squad. I sailed quite well finishing 12th, 12th, 10th, 14th, 12th wehn i finished 12th on every race, it semmed to be that the same 11 people were always in front of me and i could not seem to catch up with them which left me puzzled to what were they doing that i was not. all of us were surfing waves, all of us were sailing the same design of boat and spars. this was quite demoralising. to make matters worse, during the race when i was 14th, i was in the top 10but unfortunately, the wind shifted drastically for a full 3 minutes and then gusted alot. it was very upsetting to have found that i was on the wrong side of the course and was trying hard to salvage the situation. i somehow sailed really well on the down wind leg of the race but to complete the picture i just simply had to capsize as i was gybing round the bottom buoy and feel so so idiotic as i was seeing many other sailors overtake me and i was swimming around uprighting my poor boat. Like some of the other sailors in the byte class, i have a small build, am under the optimum weight for the byte and am quite short. however, i have to be satisfied with because there is no way i can change my build. I think the only way i can be able to handle the boat better is to become fitter so i can hike longer and harder as well as control the boat more efficiently. i think that will be difficult as it is hard to find time to work out. so far, the only excercise i get is walking the dog and going running. that is helping me to improve my stamina but it comes with a price which is losing weight. losing weight is not good because i am already very much underweight for the boat i sail( byte) well. i will have to think of a solution to the problem as soon as possible. I do not want to be so heavy that light air sailing is difficult. anyway i was just thinking and wondering, what makes a national sailor so good? how did they achieve their standard? i am pretty much deep in thought. well. at least i am begining to be able to tack faster and surf waves for longer which will help me during regattas if the wind is strong and the water is choppy. but still in strong wind, there are still many national and club sailors who beat me.
Yours,
An Ren
I feel have spent my weekend quite fruitfully. I went sailing yesterday and today, managed to do some studying but not as much as i'd liked to have done. as in my previous entry,yesterday, i sailed quite badly and could not control the boat properly as the wind was extremely strong. Well, today Uncle Tony's squad trained with the national squad. I sailed quite well finishing 12th, 12th, 10th, 14th, 12th wehn i finished 12th on every race, it semmed to be that the same 11 people were always in front of me and i could not seem to catch up with them which left me puzzled to what were they doing that i was not. all of us were surfing waves, all of us were sailing the same design of boat and spars. this was quite demoralising. to make matters worse, during the race when i was 14th, i was in the top 10but unfortunately, the wind shifted drastically for a full 3 minutes and then gusted alot. it was very upsetting to have found that i was on the wrong side of the course and was trying hard to salvage the situation. i somehow sailed really well on the down wind leg of the race but to complete the picture i just simply had to capsize as i was gybing round the bottom buoy and feel so so idiotic as i was seeing many other sailors overtake me and i was swimming around uprighting my poor boat. Like some of the other sailors in the byte class, i have a small build, am under the optimum weight for the byte and am quite short. however, i have to be satisfied with because there is no way i can change my build. I think the only way i can be able to handle the boat better is to become fitter so i can hike longer and harder as well as control the boat more efficiently. i think that will be difficult as it is hard to find time to work out. so far, the only excercise i get is walking the dog and going running. that is helping me to improve my stamina but it comes with a price which is losing weight. losing weight is not good because i am already very much underweight for the boat i sail( byte) well. i will have to think of a solution to the problem as soon as possible. I do not want to be so heavy that light air sailing is difficult. anyway i was just thinking and wondering, what makes a national sailor so good? how did they achieve their standard? i am pretty much deep in thought. well. at least i am begining to be able to tack faster and surf waves for longer which will help me during regattas if the wind is strong and the water is choppy. but still in strong wind, there are still many national and club sailors who beat me.
Yours,
An Ren
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